Saudi MERS deaths spike, Riyadh says

16 people have died of the coronavirus in the kingdom since February 11, raising toll to 382

By AFP 20 February 2015, 11:57 am

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An Indian worker wears a mouth and nose mask as he touches a camel at his employer's farm, outside Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on May 12, 2014. (photo credit: AFP/Fayez Nureldine)

Deaths from the MERS virus have surged in Saudi Arabia, Health Ministry figures showed on Friday, after authorities warned of a seasonal increase in Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV).

The ministry recorded five deaths on Thursday alone, bringing to 16 the number since February 11.

That figure compares with a single death from the virus in the first 10 days of the month.

Saudi Arabia is the country which has been hardest hit by the MERS virus, which was first identified in 2012. A total of 899 people have been infected in the kingdom, of whom 382 have died.

Doctor Abdul Aziz bin Saeed, who heads the center coordinating the ministry’s response to MERS, warned earlier this month that a surge in cases typically occurs around this time of year, because of the risks posed by newborn camels.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has cited the preliminary results of studies indicating that people working with camels are at increased risk of infection from MERS-CoV, and young camels are particularly susceptible.

Saeed said, “You have more infected camels right now circulating.”

The ministry reported new cases from across the kingdom. Half of those who died were in their 70s or 80s.

A public awareness campaign is continuing. The WHO urged people working with camels to pay particular attention to personal hygiene.

More than 20 countries have been affected by MERS, but most cases have been linked to the Middle East.